Table of Contents
- What is [18F]PSMA-1007?
- How It Works
- Uses in Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
- How It’s Administered
- Ongoing Research
- Patient Eligibility
- Potential Benefits
What is [18F]PSMA-1007?
[18F]PSMA-1007 is a diagnostic tool used in the detection of prostate cancer. It’s a type of radioactive tracer that helps doctors see potential cancer cells more clearly during imaging tests. The full chemical name of this compound is (2S)-2-[[(1S)-1-carboxy-5-[[(2S)-2-[[4-[[[(2S)-4-carboxy-2-[[(2S)-4-carboxy-2-[(6-(18F)fluoranylpyridine-3-carbonyl)amino]butanoyl]amino]butanoyl]amino]methyl]benzoyl]amino]-3-naphthalen-2-ylpropanoyl]amino]pentyl]carbamoylamino]pentanedioic acid. It’s also known by several other names, including F-18-PSMA-1007, PSMA-1007 (18F), 18F-PSMA-1007, and PSMA-1007 F-18.[1]
How It Works
[18F]PSMA-1007 works by targeting a specific protein called Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA). This protein is found in high amounts on the surface of prostate cancer cells. When injected into the body, [18F]PSMA-1007 attaches to these PSMA proteins. The radioactive element (18F) in the compound then allows special cameras to detect where the tracer has accumulated, potentially revealing the location of prostate cancer cells.[1]
Uses in Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
[18F]PSMA-1007 is primarily used in combination with imaging techniques like PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography) or PET/MRI (Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging). These scans help doctors to:
- Detect prostate cancer in its early stages
- Determine if cancer has spread to other parts of the body
- Monitor how well treatment is working
- Check for any recurrence of cancer after treatment
It’s particularly useful in detecting high-risk or very-high-risk prostate cancer, which are more aggressive forms of the disease.[1]
How It’s Administered
[18F]PSMA-1007 is given as an injection into a vein (intravenous use). The maximum dose is typically around 450 MBq (megabecquerels, a unit of radioactivity). After the injection, patients undergo imaging scans that can last for about 30-60 minutes.[1]
Ongoing Research
Several clinical trials are currently underway to further evaluate the effectiveness of [18F]PSMA-1007. These studies aim to:
- Assess the diagnostic performance of [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT imaging in patients with newly-diagnosed high-risk or very-high-risk prostate cancer.[1]
- Determine the accuracy of fully hybrid 18F-PSMA PET/MRI as a one-stop approach for diagnosing clinically significant prostate cancer.[2]
These studies aim to provide more evidence on how well [18F]PSMA-1007 can detect prostate cancer, especially in its early stages or when it has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Patient Eligibility
While [18F]PSMA-1007 shows promise, it’s not suitable for everyone. Typical eligibility criteria for patients in clinical trials include:
- Being 18 years of age or older
- Having a clinical suspicion of prostate cancer or newly diagnosed high-risk prostate cancer
- No previous diagnosis or treatment for prostate cancer
- Ability to undergo all required tests and procedures
Patients with certain conditions, such as severe claustrophobia or those with certain medical implants, may not be eligible for the imaging procedures.[1][2]
Potential Benefits
The use of [18F]PSMA-1007 in prostate cancer diagnosis could potentially offer several benefits:
- Earlier and more accurate detection of prostate cancer
- Better identification of cancer spread, which can guide treatment decisions
- Improved monitoring of treatment effectiveness
- Reduced need for invasive diagnostic procedures in some cases
However, it’s important to note that while [18F]PSMA-1007 shows promise, more research is needed to fully understand its benefits and limitations in prostate cancer diagnosis and management.[1][2]



